Dave Matthews Band bassist Stefan Lessard’s house in Ivy, Va. was destroyed in a fire this morning.

Stefan and his son safely escaped before the two-story house became engulfed in flames. WVIR has video of the fire and reports that part of the house’s roof collapsed. Ivy is just outside Dave Matthews Band’s base in Charlottesville, Va.

Blog-Eyed Fish will post updates throughout the day as they come in.

UPDATE (6:13 p.m.): The Associated Press is reporting that Stefan and his son escaped the house after they heard “crackling” in the kitchen. Investigators now think the fire started outside the house — previous reports said it started on the first floor — but arson or foul play is not suspected, the AP said. In addition, WRIV reports that firefighters were able to salvage some “irreplaceable” photos and awards.

UPDATE (3:01 p.m.): Lots of fans are giving Stefan their best wishes on his Facebook and MySpace pages.

UPDATE (1:19 p.m.): WVIR also reports that Stefan’s house was worth $1.1 million, and adding in the contents of the house, Stefan and his family are facing a $2 million loss overall.

UPDATE (12:26 p.m.): The fire started around 7 or 7:30 a.m. WCAV reports it took 40 firefighters to battle the flames, and the house burned quickly because its exterior was cedar. WVIR adds that Stefan called 911 after escaping, but “the home is likely a total loss.”

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But do you think that would be reason for someone else from the band goes back to VA from another state they were visiting that time? Say Carter was in Cali, you think he’d come back right away to help out?

Colin Steele

Rumor has it that everyone in the band was already back in Charlottesville doing work in the studio. I don’t know if any of the members would have come back to help Stefan, but I’m sure he has plenty of other friends in C-Ville to rely on.

http://www.blogger.com/profile/17916383140348239202 J-H Lane

Very thankful everyone is ok. I’m sorry for their loss, especially the loss of the sentimental items he’s collected from tours, snowboarding trips, his kids, etc. I know they say they salvaged some items, but I’m sure they lost plenty as well.

Kinda puts things in perspective for us all. The greedy side in me hopes we hear more album news soon, but this incident makes me glad to have what we have as fans, and as individuals in our own lives. Cheers ~